No Bars=Fail

So the past couple of weeks I have tried to not to eat any granola bars as a snack. I don’t know why, but I did. I ended up eating those mini Oiko greek yogurts or cottage cheese at work…I was seeing if I can shave off some calories while maintaining my protein intake…

What did I find out? I ate bad ALL last week. Chocolate stains on my pants, raspberry filling on my white lab coat..it was…ridiculous.  I don’t know if the bars satisfy my sweet tooth WHILE filling me up but I’m going to add them back into my daily food intake to see how this week goes.

I stole one of Glenn’s protein bars. I’m running low on my “girly” bars so I stole one of these.  They taste bad but they satisfy my craving for SMORES..or SMORES protein powder.

I also tried to pack a “well rounded” lunch.

Turkey bagel sandwich that will be smothered in laughing cow cheese, as well as veggies and HUMMUSSS.

Since I’ve been working “hard for the money…OHHHH so hard for it honey” Glenn made this quiche for us to try! It’s crustless and contains tons of spinach…and CHEESEE.

You can probably find this at FoodNetwork.com

Before the bake…

After the bake…funny thing: Glenn sent me these quiche photos while I was at work..I thought he was baking me a cheesecake!! hahaha….I have sweets on my mind 24/7.

This quiche looks like what unhealthy eaters fear healthy foods look like….It looks gross but it was delicious!!! What was missing was the “bad” part of the quiche..the crust..but it was sureee cheesy!! I think Glenn blended the spinach a little too much but it was still yummy! Plus he cooked so props for him!

Is there one healthy food that looks gross but tastes great to you? What food fills you up?

BTW regarding our little getaway this weekend? We are actually flying to visit his friend…the city is considered one of the most dangerous in the United States but I’m happy to be leaving this trailer park town.

HINT: There was a 90s comedic television show set in this town.  The main character wore these…

Choco Face

How was your weekend? Mine was work work work.  I even  missed the Superbowl! Or most of it…oh who are we kidding? I missed out on commercials/snacks/Kim Kardashian/Carrie Underwood…You know..the important stuff.

On the other hand I was sad to see that Rhianna wore the outfit I had plan on wearing for Valentine’s Day…sorry Glenn.

(source)

Jessica Alba also stole the haircut I was going to have after I had kids.

(source) What do you guys think? Upgrade or downgrade?

What I do know is that my breakfast was an UPgrade!

Honey almond butter + dark chocolate almond butter + blueberries on my oats = dessert YUMMY start to the day.

What does one pack when they have a 11 hour work shift? TONS of food.

Left over chile chicken soup, greek yogurt, blueberries, apple, veggies with HUMMUS…

and this baby…

I forgot how amazing lara bars are! This was uber sweet and the coconut pieces really hit the spot! Have you guys noticed coconut is a “love it or hate it” thing? I LOVE coconut anything…hand me a pina colada and I’m a happy girl.

Dinner was ho hum since I came home late

Roasted carrots, brussel sprouts, PARSNIPS (first time roasting these!!), and tomatoes.

Of course I had to have a side of carby gooey cheese goodness. Bagel thin and gouda cheese. Bagel thin verdict? More “bread” like than sandwich thins and less dense. Let me know what you guys think if you guys get them!

The food didn’t stop there….

Steriod apple and GREEK YOGURT. Glenn glared by the time I was done with all this food! Well..he glared at my tummy overhanging my pjs.

Just when you thought I was eating well…I have to quote the fantastic Britney Spears…”I’M NOT THAT INNOCENT”

Somehow these possessed Valentine’s Day chocolates made their way into my mouth…

 

Ghiradellis and Dove chocolates…I do NOT want to fight off possessed chocolates so I had to eat them..many of them….forgive me.

Have a great Monday! This is going to be a busy busy week! I have a work function Tuesday and Glenn and I are flying out on a mini getaway this weekend. How was your weekend?

Chile-Chicken Posole

Want something hot and spicy but can’t afford to go to Chippendales? Try this recipe…seriously….it is SO easy and so good! I’ve never tried hominy before so I was uber excited to try this…I also need more hobbies…

I got this recipe from last month’s Food network magazine…yes I subscribe to this!

Chop up and cook onions and jalepenos for a couple of minutes

Place jalepenos, white onion, cilantro, canned green chiles,  and seasonings in a food processor. My BFF Roxann (SHOUT OUT) got me a food processor for Christmas!!!!

Place this back in saucepan.  Add chicken, hominy,  and chicken broth. Cook for another 10 minutes covered.

DONE.

The whole recipe is probably listed in FoodNetwork.com!! So many spicy flavors!!! Do not eat if you get heartburn!  All I needed was some avocado and tortilla chips!!!

Mmm..I’ll be eating this all weekend at work…I hope people don’t mind jalapeno breath in their faces.

BTW thanks for all the compliments yesterday….and since this post is all about being HOT and spicy…

(source) Eric from True Blood…HOTTTTTT…DROOLLLLZZZZZ

 

Eyes and Bars

Even though I’m in the healthcare field, I really hate to go to the doctor….

Yesterday’s adventure to the eye doctor still makes me cringe.  I’m almost blind (I SWEAR, I can’t see the big letter on those eye tests without my glasses) so I know I have to go in yearly for a check up and new glasses/contacts.

I’m okay with the exam but there is one thing I hate more than anything, well except papercuts…it’s the EYE PRESSURE test.  The one where they blow a puff of air in each eye to ensure you don’t have glaucoma…Um..well I ended up getting a mini anxiety attack and felt like this

I made such a fuss with that air blowing machine that they had to measure my eye pressure using eye numbing drops and a prod of some sort…I screamed, I teared up…and they know where I work..embarrassing…VERY embarrassing. 

At that point I didn’t care if people judged me…therefore I went to Wal-Mart (HELL-Mart) and took pictures of myself buying $35 dollar eyeglass frames…I only wear my glasses before bed, so I’m not looking to make any fashion statements or seduce anyone…sorry Glenn.

(Ignore my unwashed hair and sale sticker that I still leave on my camera)

Can you guess which pair I picked? (Answer at the end of the post)*

Don’t worry I’m not Charlyne Yi

Or Stanley Tucci in the movie “The Lovely Bones”

I actually browsed around HELL-Mart and found these….They probably taste the same as the sandwich thins but since they have NEW NEW NEW screaming from the package I had to pick up a pack.

I also picked up this issue of Consumer Reports

I’m a geek and I love to read Consumer Reports from time to time.  This issue is an AWESOME read. Pick this up if you want a magazine to browse through this weekend.  It picks the best cereals, breakfasts, etc for your money.  It also has an article on what foods to buy organic, diet tips, ratings on workout equipment! Love it!

Oh…I also had a sweet tooth so I made these!

Oatmeal Almond Butter Fruit Bars

Preheat Oven to 350 degree

Combine ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1/2 cup chunky almond butter
• 3 tablespoon brown sugar splenda
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/3 cup light canola oil butter, melted
• 2 cups oats
• handful of candied dates, cranberries, blueberries

Mix ingredients and squish into a pam sprayed baking pan…bake for 20 minutes…then stuff face

 UM HOLY MOLY!!!!! If you want to make some sweet sweet yummy dessert bars make these. It took 20 minutes and you guys probably already have these ingredients! Can’t wait to have another one with some greek yogurt on top! Droooolllzzzzz almond butter + honey + dates = forgot about the air puff machine….

Have a great weekend! I’ll be at work but you guys have tons of fun and great eats!

*I chose the bottom left ones…Geek or CHIC?! Should I wear my glasses with some Vibram shoes?

No…seriously…imagine me eating while wearing these shoes…..

Chickpeas for this Chick

Thanks bloggers for your opinions on my moving post!! Basically everyone said “YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE” and I completely agree.  We have a WHOLE year before anything is set in stone but that is the perfect amount of time to get things ready for a big move! Who knows? Maybe we’ll just end up staying in Texas depending on what program accepts Glenn!

BTW a ton of the peanut butter I get are from local bakeries! I try to stop by one when I am out of town!

Anyways, once again I woke up early to make Glenn breakfast….I need a life or at least a prize from Glenn…I also need sleep…

I tried making Glenn chocolate protein pancakes…1 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1/4 cup egg whites, 1/4 cup greek yogurt, cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg…cook like a pancake.   I also made some “egg thingies” which are seasoned egg whites baked in 2 slices of deli meat in a muffin tin.

Um…yea…protein pancake fail part 2….Tastes like protein powder…thank goodness Glenn will eat anything if it promises protein…oppossums included…okay I joke.  At least the egg thingies were good!

Snack was a jazz apple and my new obsession ICELANDIC YOGURT…so thick..and creammyyy…

I LOVE pasta but my tights jeans do not…I use this pasta substitute sometimes but I don’t think I’ve used it on my blog before…

Shirataki Noodles are made from TOFU.  It has the exact consistency as ramen!! But…are you ready for this…the WHOLE bag is 40 calories…YES 40 CALORIES…not 400 calories like cup o ramen! Less calories from noodles equals more calories I can use for sauce…

I cooked this in fish sauce, soy sauce, pepper, lemon juice, carrots, water chestnuts, chickpeas, and THAI PEANUT SAUCE.

Top with some Shirachi….tastes like a peanuty spicy Thai inspired quick meal. Cravings SOLVED.

Glenn and I proceeded to roast the remaining chick peas…..

They kinda got burnt…but they still tasted good…salty and crunchy!

I’m gonna go get some new glasses today!!! My current glasses are broken…I kinda stepped on them…and I’m on my last pair of contacts!

Did I ever mention I’m obsessed with the $35 dollar frames from Wal-Mart?! I LOVE hugeee glasses…huge cheap glasses to be exact..maybe that’s why mine broke so easily…

In my mind I look like this

Reality? Less appealing…

 

BY THE WAY…. All you foodbuzz featured publishers out there…They sent an email out saying 2010’s foodbuzz festival will be in San Francisco again!!! Anyone planning on going??? It’s FREE…except for travel costs!!

Changes

OMG your comments about the shoes Glenn wants to get got me CRACKING up…I’m talking HAHAHHAHA…MIGHT have been a cackle..MIGHT.

Before I talk about OH SO SERIOUS emotions did I mention I got myself some GLEE gum!

I have an addiction to bubblegum and an addiction to the show!! So why not waste money on this overpriced item? UNFORTUNATELY I didn’t sing better after chewing on this. Oh Rachel Berry I will never be…

For breakfast I tried a peanut butter I got back in NOVEMBER.  I have so many jars that this one was stuck in the back!! I almost forgot I had this baby!

This pic will show this peanut butter in all it’s glory…peanut butter with chocolate and mini pieces of cookie dough swirled in…Um…yea….globbed it with my oats and breakfast was DEElicious

Lunch was HOHUM salad

Curry hummus, tabouli, carrots, sprouts, spring lettuce mix, cucumbers, mushrooms.  I love my salads but I’m pretty sure you are getting sick of looking at them too. Don’t worry…I finally used up my BULK spring mix box.

For dinner I’ve been craving pizza like Kate Hudson craves attention from men.

BBQ sauce instead of tomato? Why..yes…please…

Smothered some BBQ sauce on a sandwich thin, layered some chopped mushrooms, cucumbers, olives then topped it with gouda cheese.  Side of veggies and hummus…ZOMG. So fresh, toasty, and sweet! They should just make pizza with pure bbq sauce instead of plain tomato sauce..it gives it such a sweeter kick!

So…now to my EMOTIONS…Glenn starts his last year of school in the fall, which also means he starts applying to residency programs.  Since we are probably going to be together…FOREVER (insert psycho music NOW)…Glenn moving equals ME moving. 

Do I want to stay in Texas? Yes. 

1. My friends and family are here

2. The weather is great

3. My pay is amazing

4.  Life is SIMPLE in good ole’ Texas.  

Now don’t get me wrong, I want to get out of this city we are currently in ASAP but moving to Austin, Dallas, or Houston wouldn’t be bad choices at all…

BUT our thinking for moving out of the state is this: We are young and since we do not have a house or kids to tie us down anywhere…why not move to a fun city for 3 to 5 years and then come back to Texas when we want a family? 

Moving OUT of state means:

1. I have to take another pharmacy law exam in a new state

2. Away from family and friends and the possibility of being LONELY

3. Possible SNOWY winters

4. Decrease in pay

But the idea of living in a big fun city and enjoying life without worries of a mortgage or crying babies is so divine!  It may also be a DREAM…

Glenn decided to write down his choices of cities he may apply to as well as residency programs he’s considering…the red checks are cities I prefer…

In the end, I want Glenn to get accepted into a great residency program, so I do not mind if we stay in Texas or leave.  His education is top priority…I don’t know where the next year takes us but I’m both scared and excited.

Have any of you guys moved far away? How did you handle it?

Shoes, ugly and all

So we went to the Puma outlet store and Glenn got these babies for 50% off!!! I should have gotten a pair!! They had these in pink…

Did I ever mention that Glenn and I think we are “hippies”? We try to eat organic foods when our wallets allow and I drive a Prius.  I usually see grandmas or granddads with my car but I heart 46.6 miles per gallon.  You can’t beat it!

 Anyways, I got a pair of Tom’s vegan wrap boots awhile back but I still haven’t worn them…Maybe cause my cankles pop out?

Maybe I should wrap them a little higher up my midget leg?  Anyways, I’m sure you’ve heard of Tom’s shoes.  You buy a pair and they send a pair of shoes to a needy child in another country…I’m sure they didn’t send them these wraps though…

So those Pumas are Glenn’s “casual” running shoes…everyday wear shoes but he needs some running shoes for working out…He is seriously thinking of getting these Vibram shoes

They sell them at REI…I told Glenn they look scary…but according to the website and some sporting websites they are REALLY good for outdoor sports/running.  Here is what the website said

Vibram FiveFingers is different than any other footwear on the planet. Not only do they bring you closer to your environment, FiveFingers deliver a number of positive health benefits—by leveraging all of the body’s natural biomechanics, so you can move as nature intended.

6 Reasons to Wear Vibram FiveFingers:

1. Strengthens Muscles in the Feet and Lower Legs – wearing FiveFingers will stimulate and strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, improving general foot health and reducing the risk of injury.

2. Improves Range of Motion in Ankles, Feet and Toes – no longer ‘cast’ in a shoe, the foot and toes move more naturally.

3. Stimulates Neural Function Important to Balance and Agility – when wearing Vibram FiveFingers, thousands of neurological receptors in the feet send valuable information to the brain, improving balance and agility.

4. Improves Proprioception and Body Awareness – those same neurological receptors heighten body awareness, sending messages about body mechanics, form, and movement.

5. Eliminates Heel Lift to Align the Spine and Improve Posture – By lowering the heel, our bodyweight becomes evenly distributed across the footbed, promoting proper posture and spine alignment.

6. Allows the Foot and Body to Move Naturally, Which Just FEELS GOOD.

 

Er…what do you guys think?

BTW I added a couple of links to my blogroll…I am seriously inspired by some of you guys…some for your workout ethic, some for your eats, and some for your aura of kindness. Have a great day bloggies!

A Day Late…

I have a feeling this is going to be a long week!  Why? Cause I work this weekend and things are gonna start picking up at work

1. Time for yearly reviews.  This is the time of year when being a manager means disappointing some workers with honest feedback…the issue of pay raises is also a “touchy” subject

2. Meeting my new “boss” this Friday.  You only get to make ONE good first impression.  I make PLENTY of bad first impressions.  Must floss ASAP. 

These things aren’t “stressful” per say but I definitely get too emotionally involved when it comes to my workers. NOT good.

Less emo, more food.

Um, the Clif Bar company has to be BANKING. Each bar is almost 2 bucks and they own the Luna line, Mojo mix line, Clif bar line…etc.  This bar did not disappoint.  Honey glazed peanut butter chips IN a bar? I’m there !

Glenn is obsessed with this tofu “egg” salad… we actually buy a “box” of 6 of these at wholefoods and get a 10% discount.  It tastes SUPER good…

Put it on a sandwich thin with some franks hot sauce and side salad.

Dinner is the same ol same ol… Steelhead trout on a bed of beautiful salad of yellow squash and roasted brussel sprouts.

Dessert was warm and cold

Appleberry vitalicious muffin top with greek yogurt and CHOCOLATE syrup…sweet, carby, fiber and protein filled goodness…

Um…not gonna lie… had a couple or a ton of these during the day….DARK chocolate 3 musketeers with cherry flavoring nougut inside…UM..YES PLEASE.

So does anyone else watch E! News for your entertainment gossip? I loveeee Giuliana and I think she is hilarious! She is rocking a lean bod too!

(Source) She has a blog about her diet.  Pretty interesting or is it predictable? Check it out!

Anyone else watch the Grammys on Sunday? I LOVEE me some Beyonce but I dunno about this dress…either way she can wear WHATEVER her heart desires cause she is a goddess!

And my dear Britney.  I will always be loyal to her but she should have used the Grammys as her “I’M BACK OFFICIALLY” outing…instead…they let her out in this outfit! BRIT BRIT I LOVE YOU THOUGH!

(source)

It’s a day or so late but who were your top Grammy fashion yes and nos?

New Loves

Glenn ended up staying the weekend with me since there was a storm going on all Thursday and Friday night!  We ended up twiddling our thumbs the whole weekend…which means: sleeping in, snacking way too much, bumming around, and watching about 5 movies in 2 days. 

This was us

Ahhh…relaxing.  You know what else is gonna be relaxing? My jeans…relax fit waist band anyone?!

I tried this packet of cinnamon almond butter in my oats. Mmm…great nutty flavor but I couldn’t really taste the cinnamon…maybe cause I also put some dark chocolate peanut butter next to it?! Either way, it was deliciously nutty and I must get a jar when I run out of my other 5 jars of almond butter…

Did I mention I was snacky snacky all weekend?  I got this CARAMEL APPLE flavored popcorn awhile back and finally dug into it during “The Fantastic Mr. Fox” OMG.  It tasted like freaking caramel apple! Deliciously salty and sweet! OMG. BTW the movie is also ADORABLE.  Please watch it.

As if a handful bagful of popcorn wasn’t enough, I had another snack of greek yogurt with pumpkin puree and an apple to “hold me over”.

Lunch/dinner was a GLORIOUS salad of cucumbers, tomato basil veggie burger, jalapeno hummus, tomatoes, tabouli, carrots all on a spring mix with Annie’s honey mustard dressing…mmmm….

That was my night: snacky snacks, food, and movies.

The following day we headed over to the outlets so Glenn could get a pair of running shoes.  He ended up getting a pair of amazing Pumas..I’ll snap a pic when he finally wears them.

We stopped by a chocolate shop so I got a white chocolate covered peanut butter treat. BAH. I ate the whole thing but the peanut butter tasted powdery…

Then on the way to the car Glenn surprised me with a bag full of goodies!  While I was LOOKING inside the Marc Jacobs store Glenn secretly bought me a couple of foodie essentials…

PEANUT BUTTERRRR.  Gourmet peanut butter at that! I love Hary and David food basket/gifts/products so I’m eager to try these out! BTW I have about 9 jars of peanut butter or almond butter at my house at this moment…do you think I should do a giveaway soon?!

We had a quickie lunch/dinner at our favorite sushi restaurant “Yama Sushi”! We got the tuna titaki to start off…mmm…the pieces of lightly seared tuna are so thin and flavorful, then the sashimi platter, and ended with eel sushi and an alaskan roll. Rolls are the death of me…they are always so full of rice and spicy mayo but I can’t help but eat.it.all. Delicious!

Did I mention I finally got to try the pomegrante Greek yogurt?!?!

I’m still making inappropriate noises about this as I type….VERY inappropriate noises.

I hope your weekend went well…alot has been on my mind lately…many things involving the upcoming year and possible move by next year. I’ll fill you in with a random “emo” post this week.

 Enjoy your Monday!

Quick Flashback

You and I love peanut butter….I especially love the Peanut Butter & Co brand!  I actually went to the restaurant that started it all back in October!  Click here for my flashback post! Warning…you might see my “bangs” still…Enjoy the rest of your weekend!